The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.

But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him.

Reviewed by wcs53 on

4 of 5 stars

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I have never read this book before, but have heard so many good things about it. So I put it on my list of 50 classics to read by the end of 2017. This is the second one I've read on the list and I have to say I enjoyed it more than the last one I read.

It's an enjoyable story about how our attitude, along with the way we treat ourselves and those around us can make a big difference to our lives. There are many things to think about and to apply to our own lives contained in this book which, although is considered a children's classic, can be enjoyed by all ages.

We have a movie version of this in our house, but I have never watched it. I'm not sure that I want to now, as it may well spoil the book for me.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 3 May, 2013: Finished reading
  • 3 May, 2013: Reviewed